84 Autoform T/A http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/1112482975.html
82 International Coach? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ponti...RCHQ3aUSQ3a101
84 Int Coach? or Hi-Line http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/1112563106.html

85 unknown http://cedarrapids.craigslist.org/cto/1098101212.html

83 (Coach Conversions) http://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/1087467818.html
89 GTA (ASC) http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/ctd/1116735472.html This one has been around for a while

 

You forget a Jamaican Yellow one.......

92 Formula 350 4 sale

 

Thanks Stephan,
Actually it is an LB9/M5 car, unfortunately it has been painted another Yellow other than the original Jamacia Yellow. I considerd it, but I want the correct color.

Its a nice looking car, lots of miles tho...

John

 

Heres a few more 3rd gen verts for sale.......
This first one Ive seen parked on the street.Its only about 5-10 minutes from where I live.Its not that nice of a car
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1116790431.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1115287279.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1114375901.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1109656924.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1104961036.html

 

The 3rd link you posted with the red RS with IROC rims looks sweet!

 

waht yrs, were the firebirds available as verts?

 

From the factory or Aftermarket Conversions?

Factory was 91& 92.

Before that, they were ALL Conversions, yet some were GM Authorized. Ordered as a 'vert...Shipped from the factory to the Conversion place, then shipped to the dealer & sold new.

 

Actually it depends on how you look at it. From 1982 - 1986 There were several companies that made Convertibles out of Firebirds, Many like Autoform only used new cars. Others would take dealer stock, or customer cars to be converted...

From 1987 - 1992 ASC did almost all of the convertible conversions. From 1987-1989 ASC did Pontiac dealer conversions which were drop shipped from the factory to be made along side the Production Camaros, From 1991 & 1992 ASC did the Production Pontiac Firebirds. Interestingly ASC claims the 1987-1989 Firebirds were part of a GM production program...

There were some other companies doing conversions but by the time ASC got on board with GM they became almost extinct...

John

 

i was searching for a vert firebird for a long time, neve found one that i could use, went with race car 3rd gen instead, still looking for vert bird or first gen thats not a bucket of bolts.

 

I just had to put my AutoForm Vert up for sale... Getting a divorce... have to sell it, maybe the Camaro too.

 

That really blows! Sorry to hear that... It's tragic when a divorce comes between a man & his third gen! It's a nice ride, wish I had the extra cash... Good luck - hope you find a good home for her! (the TA of course)

 

Sell it to a buddy for $1, who will sell it back, after the divorce is final, to you for $1.

 

Yeah, it sucks!

I wish I could do that.. but it is more complicated than that.

 

Unless someone swapped out the bumpers, that's not a '92. And I agree with above comments about it being a sad fate for the car that it was repainted a different yellow

 

Yes....The seller bough it with those nose already swapped out & the exterior repainted, (done by a previous owner). Not exactly a big deal to repaint the exterior to the correct Jamaican Yellow.

People change their exterior colors all the time, so this one could easily be restored.

 

Honestly I would have been more interested in it IF

1) it had the original JY color, repainted or not.
2) An original Formula Hood (I acutaly have one)


Turnoffs but not deal breakers
3) I like the way the 2" drop looks, but it is not practical for a driver, I want to drive the car and not worry about rubbing my fenders.
4) Becuase it has a 350 is not a big deal, but I would have preferred the original motor. Granted a 350 would be more fun..
5) The 130K miles are high for me right now for a $5600... I passed on a Formula 350 Hard top that was original JY for $3999 that had 97K on it... Because it was not a 5 speed.

I actually have a 91-92 Formula Front bumper with the correct headlights, that I could put back on the car... I need a few of the little things like the underside air scoop

 

That car is not a vert so why is it even in this thread?

 

I... Have no clue

 

Forgive me; I know this isn't a vert but it represents my inability to get a grasp on 3rd gen value. This appears to be one fine ride so I'm curious of your opinions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...ht_4258wt_1370

 

It is oviously worth $16,000... I am surprised it did not go for more, but with the Obama economy probably about right...

 

okfoz - I've been sleeping for a few weeks and just read this post. Did you save the info on the craigslist postings at the top of this thread? I would like to investigate those cars, but the links are now dead.

You keep mentioning Hi-Line, but I have never found a real car with any Hi-Line identifications. I know they exist because of the photo brochures you have, but I have never seen one in recent years. Of coarse, maybe they didn't place labels on thier cars, so the maker is unknown??...and I have seen them but didn't know it?

 

No I do not...

Did you see the other thread? I am not sure who did the 1987 Formula 350 conversion but that is one rare bird... I am not sure if they converted a T-top or a Hard top car tho...

John

 

I am on the case! I am finding a flood of oddball coach convertibles right now. Spring brings them out. Anyone want a nice '81 Prelude convertible for $1800? If so, call 513-404-7386

Here are a couple I am investigating this week....not all F-bodies....but all are non-factory coach convertibles.
http://austin.craigslist.org/ctd/1150931803.html '84 Camaro
http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/1148418233.html '84 Nissan 300ZX
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...160064953.html '85 Camaro
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...157396888.html '81 Corvette
http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/1155321372.html '80 Camaro
http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/1156965117.html '80 Mustang
http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/1158957240.html '81 Eldorado
http://rockford.craigslist.org/cto/1143256758.html '83 Camaro Z28
http://rockford.craigslist.org/cto/1155813092.html '81 Mustang
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/1160873863.html '80 Celica
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hdo/cto/1151123738.html '81 Mustang
http://utica.craigslist.org/cto/1152876700.html '81 Mustang

I know most of you couldn't care less about most of those cars, but others might appreciate seeing other coach convertibles.

 

Slim,
I regard you as probably the most knowledgeable on the convertible conversions... I started the thread with the different types of 3rd Gen verts but I really do not have the resources to do it justice. Would it be possible to have you show the differences between conversions so that someone could walk up to the car and look for something specific to see who made the conversion without looking at the door jamb? We all know an ASC or a Autoform when we see one, but some of the others are a little more illusive... The Matrix3 for example appears to have the top go down the side of the car a little more than a Straman I would like to have something showing how to identify them basically at a glance...

It would be very helpful

Thanks.

John

 

Thanks for the kind words. Let me pull something together. It won't be all-inclusive, but maybe it would get us closer for most of them.

 

Here is a perfect example...

I am not sure who did this particular conversion. what would be the tonneau area on an ASC is obviously welded or permanently affixed to the body. This is a 1987 Formula 350 Vert in Deluth MN...

I thought it was a Straman, but it is not like the other 1988 Trans Am Straman

John

 

Hi John, I have been reading your posts about convertables and rare thirdgens. I am impressed! Your knowledge of these cars is incredable. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us. I am considering the 84 Autoform T/A listed on the trader and craig's list in Illinois. The car is represented as a low mileage original car, and from the pictures appears very nice. My goal is to buy another lightly used TA to go along with the all original 28K 86WS6 that I already own. I am familiar with a typical 84 TA, but not the Autoform conversion. Is there anything in particular that I should be aware of regarding these cars? I am buying the car as a hobby car, and it will see little actual use, probably making it's yearly appearance in the Fbodygathering in Atlanta and the simi annual Rod Run in Pegion Forge Tenn. We don't get out much. Are these cars considered collectable, or just an oddity? Thanks, Charles

 

Honestly slimwhitman knows more about the Autoforms than I do.

In my opinion when looking at this type of car, look at the typical stuff. You are already familiar with a hard top or T-top Trans Am, so apply that knowledge when you look at this autoform. My advise would be to look at your car you currently closely then when you go to look at the Autoform to make notes of all of the pieces that are unique to the car. Those unique pieces are the hard pieces to replace or repair, if any of those pieces are damaged or appear to be missing then that should be a red flag as finding replacements may prove to be impossible or at least very difficult.

Beyond that the typical wear and tear on the cars, rust areas that are common like the rear quarter wheel wells etc...

Like I said, Slim knows more about the Autoform than I do, I hope he chimes in.

John

 

okfoz said about all that needs to be said. All the AutoForm specific stuff would be very hard to replace, so keep that in mind when considering what to pay. A new top can easily be made, but will need to be custom sewn. I would also pay special attention to the extra structural support framing under the car. The rust demons attack the aftermarket steel a bit quicker than the factory GM steel... even on the best conversions. This is fixable, but should be looked over to make sure your not paying too much.

As for price, it seems that these AutoForms can bring about 25% more than a comparable condition and optioned post '87 ASC "factory" convertible. Price is reflective more about the condition of the car than the fact that it is a funky and rare roadster. That could change in the future, though.

okfoz - I am still trying to put together a list of conversions and a guide to telling them apart. I have a 6 week old baby and a 20 month old, so it is low priority at this moment, as you can imagine. I just had 4200 bricks delivered to the house for me to install a new driveway.....what was I thinking!

 

Thanks to both of you for your expertise. You both provided a wealth of inportant information. I will only buy the car if it has little or no issues, because I am not interested in restoring anything, only maintaining an already very nice original car. Sounds like an Autoform in good condition will make a good keeper, and will make for an interesting oddity at the car shows. I 'll let you know how it works out. Charles

 

86WS6,

You should check out my Autoform T/A for sale in the For Sale section of this forum. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fire...-autoform.html I actually have two 84 AutoForm Roadsters, but have to sell one.

 

ok well i probly shouldnt post this because i want to look at it but is this true and why have i never heard of it ?????
http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/1190700866.html

 

You haven't heard of it, because there was never a Federal Emissions legal 3rd gen big-block car ever made, regardless of states or counties that didn't require emissions testing.